In the eastern portion of the San Francisco Bay Area, the rolling terrain of Amador, San Ramon, and Livermore Valleys offers visitors an array of ways to getaway.
It’s surprising to many first-time visitors how an area so close to the city of San Francisco can manage to maintain its small community charm. Tri-Valley has five unique small cities (Danville, Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and San Ramon) and plenty of wonderful places in between just bursting with opportunities for recreation and entertainment. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy hiking and horseback riding in Sunol, swimming and fishing at Shadow Cliffs, and camping at Del Valle. The area offers 11 championship golf courses, plus 17 parks (15 Regional, one State, and one National), ideal for hiking, cycling, and more. Each June, Livermore holds a week-long rodeo as part of its Western Heritage Month, and the Alameda County Fairgrounds hosts the Annual County Fair, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.
But time spent in Tri-Valley, California gives visitors more than exciting ways to spend several days. There’s a genuine feeling that permeates its small cities and countryside that makes folks feel relaxed and right at home. In recent years, some of the Tri-Valley’s cities and wineries have undergone major renovations and facelifts as a way of inviting more visitors—like you—to this special spot in the world.
FIVE CITIES CHARM
Each of the cities of Tri-Valley embrace visitors with small town friendliness. Tree-lined Danville retains the spirit of the Wild West with plenty of modern shops and restaurants. The 2011 All-America City, Dublin, offers a plethora of stores and great ethnic cuisine. Livermore, winner of the 2009 Great American Main Street Award, offers a self-guided historic downtown tour, unique museums, and premier shopping. Historic Pleasanton is the site of many festivals, street parties, parades, weekly summer concerts, and more. And, nestled in rolling hills, San Ramon hosts many outdoor events, including concerts, and golf.
Local Wines
Tri-Valley’s history as a wine producer dates back to the mid-1850s. Today’s wine industry is centered in Livermore Valley—home to more than 50 wineries. Livermore Valley wines have become more popular than ever in the past few years, and its wineries are receiving international acclaim. When you tour and taste in Livermore Valley, expect to enjoy friendly, unrushed visits, impromptu one-on-one conversations with the winemaker, and portfolios featuring excellent and reasonably priced wines.
Local Foods
Many innovative chefs work and reside in Tri-Valley. They appreciate the relaxed vibe and the incredible culinary resources they have at hand. They are inspired by the bounty of fresh local produce, freshly caught seafood, and local wines that allow them to create excellent dishes—from down-home comfort cooking to the modern flavors of California cuisine. Discover Tri-Valley’s diverse restaurants and watch for the many winemaker dinners hosted by local chefs and wineries. Some local wineries even offer a unique chance to “dine among the vines.”
Local Finds
Tri-Valley is home to: Mount Diablo, the Bay Area’s largest mountain, which stands at 3,849 feet; the Alameda County Fair Racetrack, the oldest one-mile racetrack still in use in the United States; the Livermore Centennial Light Bulb, the world’s oldest known working light bulb (it has been burning at the Livermore Fire Department Hose Cart House for more than 100 years); and three new performing arts centers (The Bankhead Theatre, The Firehouse Arts Center, and Dougherty Valley Performing Arts Center).
Touring & Tasting is a media company that produces a wine and travel magazine and is also partner in the Hitched Wine Club.
Steve Cooper is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Hitched. You can follow him on Twitter at @hitchedmedia.
